A full court press on life: Schimmel family emphasizes success beyond the court

Schimmel family emphasizes success beyond the court

Shoni Schimmel spoke Sunday at Inn of the Mountain Gods to more than 800 people about life and basketball. (Courtesy Crisosto Frizzell)

Sometimes basketball isn't just about basketball.

WNBA All-Star Shoni Schimmel's success on the basketball court touched a chord with Sunday's crowd of 800 at the Inn of the Mountain Gods. Attended by over 350 children ages seven to 18 from Mescalero, Tularosa, Hondo and Ruidoso, Monday's sports camp focused on basketball fundamentals as well as giving local youth the confidence to go out into the world.

On Sunday, attendees where able to watch "Off the Rez," a documentary that depicts the Schimmel family's move from their lifelong home on the Umatilla reservation in Oregon to Portland, resulting in sisters Shoni and Jude playing basketball for the University of Louisville Cardinals. After the film's release, the family began traveling across the country to share with others how they overcame the odds of growing up on an Indian reservation.

"It gives the reason of why she (Shoni) was so intent, coming up in that environment, knowing that she's representing the entire Indian nation," Mescalero Apache School Athletic Director Pat Garcia said.

Shoni lived up to her nickname "Showtime," earning a record 29 points with eight assists Saturday in Phoenix during an All-Star game. Shoni's unique "rez ball" style also earned her the All-Star MVP award. Following Shoni's rookie WNBA All-Star game, the family arrived in Mescalero to speak about their lives since "Off the Rez" and to host a sports camp.

"To get the MVP just before she came here, that was phenomenal," Garcia said.

After directing a series of drills at the camp Monday, Rick and Ceci Schimmel, Jude and Shoni's parents, spoke to the camp attendees.

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"Nothing ever comes easy with out some hard work," Rick said. "Hard work adds up. That's where success comes from. Just apply yourself. Whatever you want to be, it's going to come down to working hard to achieve that."

Adding to Rick's advise, Ceci said,"If you were my child, you would be getting this speech. My people, we are great, but that doesn't mean at the same time that we don't have to change. We can all become better. Those people who tell you that you can't do it, the best way to prove them wrong is success."

University of Louisville point guard, Jude Schimmel, signs an autograph for a fan Monday at the Mescalero Apache School gym during a sports camp. (Michelle Huey — Ruidoso News)

Aguilar said the Schimmel visit provided an opportunity for leadership development.

"We want more leaders for our community to come together and work as a team," Aguilar, who helped organize the event, said. "This is about getting to the kids, teaching them respect for their elders."

Maywe Wheeler, whose grandmother is related to Rick, said, "It was a dream for awhile to get these guys (the Schimmels) down here.

"The girls are inspirational. They've come a long way," Wheeler said.

She hopes that this will be a catalyst to create sports programs for Mescalero's youth that inspires them to advance their skills in sports and keep them out of trouble. Area leaders hope to build on the momentum, making the camp a yearly event.

Mother of WNBA All-Star Shoni Schimmel, Ceci Schimmel teaches local children how to aim for the front of the basket as a shooting fundamental. (Michelle Huey — Ruidoso News)

"I want you guys to go to college, to see the world, to have fun," Ceci said. "Go out and see the world and come back to your reservation. And you can teach your people what you've learned. The world is beautiful."

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